10ecjazzman
Nashville, Tennessee
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This is one to ponder. The recent sale of Budweiser created a good water cooler conversation about what is truly American. A lot of folks think its a travesty for an American Icon like Budweiser to be sold to foreign investors. Its like Bud is a Belgian beer now? Anyway, I asked some of my fellow Harley owners...What if Harley-Davidson was bought by a Japanese company? Would you still buy one? How important is it to own one of the "American' bikes? Same question for Victory, Big Dog, etc. Even though there are many parts on my E-Glide from overseas, it is still 'American-made'. I have to admit that its a big deal to me; as everything genuinely American seems to fading away or diluted to the point of mediocrity. I wonder how many Cagiva riders feel about there bikes now that Harley owns MV Agusta? Would you guys buy a not-so- American Harley?
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Hawg Man
Lakeland, FL
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Joined: 10/26/2006
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Wow - scary question.
I've been a devoted Harley rider for many, many years, and that's not likely to change for ANY reason.
So yeah, I guess if the Motor Company suddenly became foreign owned, I'd still buy from them.
"$15,000, a new leather jacket, and 15 miles under your butt doesn't make you a biker."
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Payloader
Denver, Colorado
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Joined: 01/19/2004
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As long as the style and what I like about the bikes didn't change. And as funny as this will sound, given what I've said about Harley before, I worry about the quality when I hear about something made overseas. Japan in particular. That is an old prejudice that I have had for a long time. When I think of American built, I think of strong, heavy, sturdy, steel, wood, big, and meaty. When I think of Japanese built I think of cheap, light, small, weak. I know of many Japanese made products that are kick a$$, but that old stereotype is still lurking in the background. It's not like Chinese built stuff which just makes me think inferior. As long as the things I like stay, and the things I don't get changed, and the price goes down, I would be ok with a foreign owner. Especially a European one.
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THEBurninator
Washburn, MO
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Joined: 08/11/2003
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As long as the quality is there, I don't care where the product is made.
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Ride_Slow2004
Northwest
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Joined: 02/02/2005
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If there was a new owner, they would have to respect what tradition Harley has established. In some ways, HD has moved past the folks that kept the company alive after AMF. However, those folks could not support the company at the level it is now. Riding a Harley now can be a fashion statement, or a rebellion, or, as in my case, it is the bike that fits me the best, and allows me to ride the way I do. Many folks have picked the HD because the model they have chosen allows them to get out on the road. I would have a very hard time spending money for the HD if it was owned in China.
Buy American? Every time I can, but where are the products? Just turned 50,000 on my bike, and I fully expect it to last to 100,000 miles. Great testimony to what the old iron can do.
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kzgb
Lake Effect, Indiana
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i ride a victory and if it wasn't american made i probaly would not buy one. american made means american owned to me. i have owned jap bikes in the past and even tho they were good bikes i never felt the pride in owning them that i do with my victory vegas. 04 vegas, 47,000 miles and running strong.
1976 Kawasaki KZ900LTD
2004 Victory Vegas
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92lowrider
Bothell, Wa.
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I like this Topic, Do you know Budweiser uses Rice as a ingredient ( Read the Label)? I personally think life is too short too Drink Cheap Beer! And if H.D. Sells out I will be getting a different Bike!
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Tommy Tune
Newark, De. 19713
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I see what outsourcing does to American business. It brings down the cost of the product but there is a price to pay for that. The product's quality is effected in an adverse way. It sucks. All my guitars are American made and so is my bike. There is no way in hell that I'd buy a Harley if it were made overseas. I'm a Union guy. The money that I make is because I'm a Union member. I have to stay loyal. The thought of loosing our work, livelihood, and quality goods that we make to foreign companies just sickens me. I guess that you can probably see how I feel by now. 
I’m martyr to a motion not my own - Author Unknown
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10ecjazzman
Nashville, Tennessee
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I hear you loud and clear. The thing is the bike could still be made here with a few selected top positions filled by existing MoCo people. The line workers wouldn't change. Milwaukee would still be Harley central with the plants in K.C. and York PA running as usual. The problem is that the overall direction of HD would be determined by a group loyal to interests outside the U.S.A. That is why I don't buy gas at Citgo stations. I don't want to contribute to the Hugo Chavez slush fund. I guess I am just hyper-sensitive since so much of our country is owned by foreign speculators already.
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kzgb
Lake Effect, Indiana
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Tommy Tune wrote:I see what outsourcing does to American business. It brings down the cost of the product but there is a price to pay for that. The product's quality is effected in an adverse way. It sucks. All my guitars are American made and so is my bike. There is no way in hell that I'd buy a Harley if it were made overseas. I'm a Union guy. The money that I make is because I'm a Union member. I have to stay loyal. The thought of loosing our work, livelihood, and quality goods that we make to foreign companies just sickens me. I guess that you can probably see how I feel by now.
when i took a tour of the Victory plant in spirit lake iowa a few weeks ago i asked the guide if the employees were union. in a smug voice he replied we are "union free". now being a steelworker this pissed me off real fast (not what he said but how he said it). i asked him if they dusted for us union people like they do for rodents (he didn't get it). i proceeded to inform him without unions the middle class in america (which is disappearing) would not exist and and nobody would be buying victorys, hd's or any other bike except scooters maybe. i'm not trying to provoke a union arguement here but his attitude really pissed me off. so bad my buds had to guide me away from the little punk. i say punk cuz he was maybe 25 and had pompus ass look about him. ok, enough ranting.....
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